US readies for Iraqi Freedom II

[Tinoire]

US readies for Iraqi Freedom II
From correspondents in Baghdad
30nov03

THE United States is to boost the number of infantry soldiers in Iraq and move from a force based on tanks and heavy armoured vehicles to one specialising in urban assault raids, using lighter vehicles and intelligence.

The top US military official in Iraq, Lieutenant-General Ricardo Sanchez, today said that a new phase in the Iraq war, known as Iraqi Freedom II, would begin as forces were rotated out of Iraq and replaced by new US units.

"We are going to change the composition of our forces," Sanchez said.

"We'll have more infantry. We're moving to a more mobile force, one that has the right blend of light and heavy.

<snip>

Sanchez said those troops were being replaced by civilian contractors, in the case of transportation and logistics.

<snip>

http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8021413%255E401,00.html
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Oh boy... civilian contractors?

[JohnKleeb]

1. A new phase very interesting and thanks

Sigh though this doesnt sound good but :hi: and thanks.

[wtmusic]

2. So they're leaving

"THE United States is to ... move from a force based on tanks and heavy armoured vehicles to one ... using ... intelligence."

[Rex]

3. I have this horrible notion

that all this (Iraq, 911, 2000 s-election) is a precursor to the training of our troops so that they can be ready in 2004 (maybe 2008) for the patrolling of American streets. So when they declare Bush as king it will be easier because the troops will be used to urban warfare.

Okay...time to go and put on an extra layer of tinfoil.

:tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[alittlelark]

4. I've been contemplating that as well

and the thought makes me ill.

[Rex]

14. It just seems so obvious

There was no good reason for invading Iraq. Without the invasion, the BFEE wouldn't be able to train this many soldiers in such a short period of time for urban warfare, actually this isn't training, it is the real McCoy.

:tinfoilhat:

:hi: Welcome to DU alittlelark! :hi:

[ixion]

12. well, they've already tested that in Miami...

with 8.7 million from the Iraq war fund, with methods admittedly used in Iraq. Indeed... I think I'll go for another layer of tinfoil as well... :tinfoilhat:

[Mokito]

5. Strange!

The top US military official in Iraq, Lieutenant-General Ricardo Sanchez, today said that a new phase in the Iraq war, known as Iraqi Freedom II, would begin as forces were rotated out of Iraq and replaced by new US units.


I seem to have missed Iraqi Freedom I. Or is this another one of their wordgames?
"It has always been about liberating the Iraqis. What's a WMD?"

[radfringe]

6. it's been my experience that "sequels"

(more often than not) are WORSE than the original

[izzie]

7. Need a pool on how long it takes the Middle East to eat us alive.

This is just not going to work.

[matcom]

8. well, "Iraqi Freedom I" worked so well.....

:eyes:

they're FREE! they're FREE!

they are dead yes, but isn't THAT a form of FREEDOM?? :eyes:

[teryang]

9. This story doesn't mention the earlier report

...in which Sanchez was going to take advantage of a temporary peak in manpower resources caused by delays in rotation to conduct this offensive. The tooth to tail plan may backfire if a number of logistics and transportation contractors are killed. Perhaps they will be foreignors.

[htuttle]

10. More of Rummy's 'Revolutionary' plan

"We'll have more infantry. We're moving to a more mobile force, one that has the right blend of light and heavy.
...
Sanchez said those troops were being replaced by civilian contractors, in the case of transportation and logistics.

Fewer US-branded troops, otherwise known as political liablilties. More largess for contractors. No doubt, all those 'light and mobile' troops will need some really high tech gadgets!

Even as their plans fail, they continue to proceed with them. As the scorpian said, "it's their nature."

* goggle on 'Revolution in Military Affairs' +Rumsfeld for background.

[truthspeaker]

11. so they've just now figured out

that our forces in Iraq need to be geared towards urban and guerilla warfare. Once again they are implementing something that should have been planned ahead of time six months too late.

[Fovea]

13. Hardness

Rummy announces more bodies coming home in transfer tubes.
Ok, more of them will be private contractors, but maybe they will get diablity bennies.

This means a commitment to fighting the sort of warfare that really pumps up the body count for us. Perhaps, Rummy thinks, a little more of that 'shared sacrifice' will make the war more popular. What is really means is more Tim McVeys coming home.

But hey, if you are Ashcroft, that works too.